Battered Women’s Organizations Appeal to St. Louis County Council

St. Louis County Council members listen to speakers give their opinions on the county's proposed 2011 budget, which includes several park closings. (KMOX/Michael Calhoun)

ST. LOUIS (KMOX) – Several agencies that work with abused women want an ordinance passed by the Saint Louis County Council guaranteeing all women will have access to the Kathy J. Weinman shelter.

Michelle Schiller-Baker is the Executive Director for St Martha’s House, a non-profit agency in St. Louis for abused women and children. She says prior to attention be given to this, even though the Weinman Shelter had beds available, abused women were being turned away because they did not live in St. Louis County. That’s a claim County Executive Charlie Dooley denies. However, now Schiller-Baker says the women are being taken in.

Schiller-Baker says the groups will go before the County Council at five tomorrow evening, explaining why they want an ordinance passed. She does not know if the Council will take up the measure at the full meeting at six p-m. It is open to the public. If no action is taken Tuesday evening, the groups vow to come back for every session until the ordinance is passed.